By JULIE ASH
Four months from the start of the Louis Vuitton Challenger series, Oracle Racing's preparations are well on track.
The syndicate is celebrating the arrival in Auckland of their first boat, USA71, and crew member Peter Holmberg's success in the Swedish Match Tour.
Holmberg finished third in the penultimate event, the
Cronet Cup in Croatia.
Le Defi Areva's Philippe Presti won the event, beating Team New Zealand's Bertrand Pace in the final.
But for Holmberg, finishing third secured him the overall tour title ahead of his main rival, Victory Challenge's Magnus Holmberg.
"I really enjoy matchracing and when I came to Oracle I asked if I could continue pursuing it. My goal was to be No 1 in the world and to win the Swedish Match Tour. Oracle allowed me to do it, which is a great testament to the team's belief in me."
In the later part of the tour Holmberg's matchracing team was made up of New Zealanders John Cutler, Robbie Naismith, Mike Sanderson and Brad Webb.
Holmberg believes he and his team were able to brush up on a number of skills which they will take through to the Challenger series.
"We were able to polish up the tactical side of our game.
"We were also able to observe our opponents' strengths and weaknesses. We are closing in on the big event, the Louis Vuitton Cup, and we've set some pretty good goals and we are achieving them."
"Everything we do from here on will have an immediate impact on the result of our campaign," said Cutler, Oracle's sailing operations manager.
"We are on the homeward straight with our noses headed for the Louis Vuitton starting line."
